# Ep. 04: Methodological Individualism and the Study of History

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/liberty-chronicles/ep-04-methodological-individualism-and-the-study-of-history>

**By** Jason Kuznicki, Anthony Comegna

**Published:** May 23, 2017

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The larger society does not think, it does not reason, it does not decide anything.

Methodological individualism is the principle that only individuals act—only individuals consciously apply means toward the fulfilment of ends. whenever we investigate society we must do so through the experiences and actions of the individuals which compose it.

### Further Readings/References:

[Mises, Theory and History: An Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution. Indianapolis: Liberty Fund. 2005.](http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/mises-theory-and-history-an-interpretation-of-social-and-economic-evolution-lf-ed)

[George H. Smith & Marilyn Moore, eds. Individualism: A Reader. Washington, D.C.: The Cato Institute. 2015.](https://www.libertarianism.org/books/individualism-reader)